My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

seat at the table

about my ‘dream’ and received

whole time I was talking, making me feel as if they knew something the rest of

looking back

are some things that just

my hand

I stared at him,

further when he didn’t elaborate friendly, maybe a little too friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy,

was that? Now we are to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not only bring him down but wound him with a

thoughts, "Apollo has never been one to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone can

to hurt him," I repeated what

wish that I could believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it didn’t seem to affect

day we met and our conversations since then, trying to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember

you think Apollo is a part

this time who had

Apollo is more a part of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want

Zayd told me gently.

by my father, the father lam

you think you could get in of

and Genesis, I need you to find out as much as you can about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up and regular sweeps

heads, a resounding, "Yes

everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need to act

to me.I was now sitting

understand," I replied, not really in the mood

to make.Do you want to stay home today, or do

packhouse."

don’t want you out walking around by yourself,

nodded at him

when their next move would be? We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a few times to speak with a few people

led me to the office next door to

both had large books in front of them that looked to be hundreds of

"Any luck?"

Kyra down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play

and Genesis both looked at me shaking their heads, "Not yet, but

Adria replied.

often.I carefully flipped through

this one that it is rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go into details or say anything of real importance

stated as she rose from her

Blaze and

Dane walked through the door, "Any luck?"

she was currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not

phone; he said he would meet

the wall above the door, surprised to see it

would explain

miss a meal, I thought

downstairs together, meeting up with everyone as we entered

Kyra in her

that even though Apollo has been

our conversations are focused mainly on Kyra and how she has

didn’t think it

ask about Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra or give me

murmured lost in my

should talk

worry, but he didn’t

being paranoid, letting everyone else's distrust get to my head, but I couldn't help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well enough to say if he had the brains to come up with

stomach felt like it was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions

finished eating lunch, Genesis and Adria took the kids to her house so they could take a nap while the

behind all of this," I stated not waiting for everyone to

in surprise at my

was here.He hasn’t been able to come back to visit in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject

silence once I

pacing the office

don’t believe you, because I agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t say.I think that Devin is cleverer than you think.We definitely shouldn't underestimate

my head as I thought about

the phone call

I looked at Zayd.

was on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or

like to talk on the phone much, but he did say he was planning to come and speak with

little, "Why not talk on the phone

smiled at me, "Vampires

down, "And your pacing is about to drive

down with a sigh,

Ash and Colby, Dane looked at Zayd, "I spoke with Uncle Dayton for a

of the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about the bordering land.He wants to move his

then again, there

he felt he needed to move his pack next to

does he want to do that?" I finally

loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never been a huge fan of Apollo’s," Dane

to hear his loyalty wasn’t

barely even knows me, but he has been willing to stand beside

have Adria call him

Ash and Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We don’t need anyone

in the office, the silence once again filling the